Duel
Release Date: January 22, 2016
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds Records
From the Lone Star state comes a four piece juggernaut to be reckoned with called Duel. Duel features two former members of Scorpion Child (Tom Frank on guitar/vocals and Shawn Avants on bass) and to hear these guys back in the game after leaving behind their former band just gives me all kinds of great feels. I can’t even imagine how scary it must be to step out of an already established band and to not just form your own band but to take over vocal and writing duties as well. This actually is part of what makes Duel so spectacular in their own right. Getting to hear just what Tom Frank is capable of as a front man and band leader is nothing short of mind blowing.
Duel’s debut EP for Heavy Psych Sounds Records is eight songs of powerhouse riffage that totally sidesteps from the pack of your usual stoner/psych rock bands. “Fears of the Dead” opens things up and right out the gates Tom Frank’s deep, gravely, yet soulful voice hits you right in the face. Songs like “This Old Crow”, “Fell to Earth”, and “Electricity” take the listener on a psych rock voyage but it’s “The Kraken” and “When the Pigs are Fed” were we really get to see what Duel is all about. On these particular tunes, Duel flexes their Texas backbone with a gnarly groove that have an almost ZZ Top meets Black Sabbath kind of vibe.
As a whole, Duel’s debut album totally knocked it out of the park but I just can’t help but feel that we’re not getting the full picture here. What I mean by this is that there seems to be a sense of restraint in the playing that I’m sure is not present in Duel’s live performances. Being that this is the band’s debut, maybe it’s because they’re still finding their footing but again, this isn’t a huge thing because honestly, the songs are so fucking good and it’s such a great listen that it just makes me even more eager to see this band live. Duel is a very pleasant and welcome addition to the movement and I think that these guys will definitely leave their mark.
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